Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?

Subject: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: GUEST,Banjiman
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 08:20 AM

What do you reckon?

The Southern Girl's Reply

Song originally collected by Anne warner and learned from Jeff.

That's Marjorie Paterson on the cello.

Paul

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: BanjoRay
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 09:23 AM

Lovely, Paul. Mind you, as a banjo player who played the cello as a teenager, I'm biased.

Ray

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Zen
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 09:28 AM

Very nice song very well sung and played.

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: GUEST,Banjiman
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 12:06 PM

Thank you both.

Ray, I think you may heard it live anyway (but without the cello!).

Paul

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: GUEST,Tony
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 12:12 PM

Beautiful!

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Crowhugger
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 02:54 PM

I love it! Though I'm also biased...I've played both banjo and cello over the years, and they are hands-down my absolute all-time favourite instruments (besides bass clarinet, cittern, French horn, acoustic bass guitar, oboe). Lately my time goes into a cappella singing so I haven't played much; now whenever I want to, first I need 2-3 weeks to get calluses going again.

Cello makes a lovely counterpoint to any number of treble instruments. I prefer cello or an acoustic bass guitar in that rôle to string bass viol not so much because it's physically easier to carry around and to finger (my back and wrists are not the sturidest!), more because cello isn't so low in pitch as to leave me wishing for another voice to bridge the gap.

A perfect trio of sound. Thanks for the link!

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 03:18 PM

Might be the small speakers on this monitor, but I don't find the cello very audible.

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Don Firth
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 03:31 PM

Lovely voice, very evocative songs. And I like the accompaniments.

On "The Southern Girl's Lament," the banjo is very tastefully handled, and the cello, although fairly soft (coming through my speakers as well), adds a warmth and richness to the overall feeling. As a matter of fact, the instrumentation on all the songs is nicely done, with a gentle touch.

I like it!

Don Firth

P. S. Maybe I've been living in a cave or something, but I'm not familiar with this young lady. I'm going to go googling.

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: terrier
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 03:49 PM

Well worth a second listen. Lovely singing voice. I think I'd like to hear it without the cello, to me, the banjo is just the perfect accompaniment ( that's not meant as a criticism btw )

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: GUEST,Banjiman
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 03:50 PM

Interesting comments on the volume of the cello.

It's fixed as it is now (for the new album) but it did cause a lot of debate during the mixing. It does sound OK on our main hi fi where there is a bit more lower register. The cello is definitely more present on some of the other tracks though.

BTW for those who don't know I'm the banjo player and Wendy is my wife.

Thanks for the comments/ feedback.

Paul Arrowsmith

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: GUEST,Banjiman
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 03:58 PM

Hi Terrier,

Just for you here's a link to a live video of the song without cello, just banjo and voice. Don't get put off by the tune at the start, we do go into Southern Girl's reply!

The Southern Girl's Reply (Live)

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: GUEST,Banjiman
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 05:12 AM

Jack,

The cello doesn't come until verse 2, I assume you listened that long?

I've just had a critical listen through my computer speakers and though not dominant I could hear the cello clearly....... I guess it depends what you are listening through?

Paul

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 05:26 AM

As you say, the cello is definitely more audible on the other tracks.

I think it's a good addition and deserves to be heard. (A lot of cello players in folk are way too reticent. Have you heard Neil Johnstone's cello playing on Pete Clark's CD "The Birnam Oak"? - that's a good antidote).

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 06:09 AM

Banjo 'cello and voices Ted & Laura - every other week at The Beech - excellent

L in C#

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: nickp
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 07:45 AM

Very nice. Balance is fine on my cheap headphones at work.

Ray, you astonish me ... cello!?

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: GUEST,KP
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 08:11 AM

Lovely tune and works better than I expected. I thought there might be a 'hole in the middle' between the two instruments (one with lots of treble and one with lots of bass), but that just leaves space for the voice. Very nice!
KP

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 08:12 AM

That's nice, Paul.

Cellos have a long and fascinating history in folk - especialy in Yorkshire where the old Mr Fox had their lair, as well as Jim Eldon's Sharpshooters (whose Rockin' With the Band is an all time classic) and not forgetting Jim's influential encounters with the late Billy Harrison which yielded such treasures (such as the tune for Jim's For Unto Us and the version of While Shepherds Watched which thnks to The Watersons' Frost & Fire can now be heard the length & bredth of the UK & beyond!).

Then there's Ursula Pank (nee Smith) who makes such an amazing contribution to Peter Bellamy's Maritime England Suite; and I'm still a sucker for the Strawbs' Dragonfly which features Clair Deniz throughout even though the The Vision of the Lady of the Lake is one psuedo ballad too far I'm afraid...

Lots of cellos around these days as folk musos abound, so you're in good company, and whilst the cello / banjo thing is still a novelty, as Les points out it's not as unknown as you might think!

Crwth and banjo on the other hand...

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 08:40 AM

The Beech Band are currently blessed with 2 and a third resting but about to return from New Zealand. And then their's Phil with his Guitaron - all good fun

Les

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: GUEST,Banjiman
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 11:01 AM

Thanks Sean, you always have to go one better don't you LoL........ bring on the Crwth (with or without banjo)I say!


Mmmm, the potential hole in the middle. Well the banjo is tuned down low to A (double C tuning down 3 steps) which I thought sounded "right" with the cello and Wendy's voice, maybe that helped to avoid the hole?

nickp, I agree, Ray seems like an unlikely cellist........ but stereotypes are never a good thing!

Les, have the Chorlton cello & banjo massive got anything on line to share? I'd be really interested to hear it.

Cheers

Paul

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 11:07 AM

One of Laura's tracks is part of the Landfill Proect - keep your eyes peeled...

And check that Soundcloud link in the Lyric Add: Mother Carey's Chicks to hear some quite modish crwth alongside Rapunzel's electric guitar...

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: treewind
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 02:40 PM

We do a bit of cello and banjo too! (YouTube link)

It'll never catch on!

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 02:47 PM

Laura and Ted do a great version of Judges & Juries on Landfill but I cannot find it anywhere

L in C#

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: GUEST,Banjiman
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 02:53 PM

Anahata,

You and Mary really shouldn't bother playing anything else apart from cello & banjo. That's lovely!

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Crowhugger
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 03:10 PM

I've gone back and listened to the rest of Wendy's tracks on ReverbNation--I'd have simply died and gone to heaven if ever found myself to have a voice like hers!

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 03:38 PM

Les - in brief - I shut Landfill down owing to a lack of input & interest despite the dozens of promises I've had for tracks... However, a relaunch looks likely in a few weeks time. See the thread for more.

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: GUEST,Banjiman
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 04:10 PM

Crowhugger, there is a downside to Wendy having a voice like that...... it means I'm stuck at home childminding tonight with only Mudcat and my banjo for company while she is out playing a gig at Otley Folk Club!

Still, we've got a small touret of some Southern UK Folk Clubs next week, with banjo and kids in tow!

Paul

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: treewind
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 04:50 PM

I've PM'd you, Paul, if you'd care to login.
(A tangentially related matter; I don't want to start a thread drift...)

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: GUEST,Banjiman
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 04:52 PM

Anahata,

I haven't been able to log in for months for some reason....... can you email me? [e-mail]

Thanks

Paul

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Crowhugger
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 10:03 PM

LOL, Banjiman, my heart bleeds...but say, it's not supposed to be 'minding' when they're your own family, is it!
;-)

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: GUEST,Banjiman
Date: 07 Apr 11 - 01:57 PM

Looking after????

It amounts to the same thing. LoL!

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 03:20 AM

Snug of The Beech, Chorlton, 1-ish this Saturday -could be 'cello and banjo

L in C#

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Ron Davies
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 07:17 AM

I would imagine that everybody already knows this, but on the offchance somebody does not:    what heightens the poignancy of this song is that it is in fact the tune of the upbeat Confederate song "Bonny Blue Flag", slowed down.

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Ron Davies
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 07:18 AM

"Bonnie Blue Flag"

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: GUEST,Banjiman
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 07:50 AM

It is Ron.

which in turn was originally an Irish Tune - "The Irish Jaunting Car"

Don't you love this stuff!

Paul

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Ron Davies
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 12:19 AM

Not only is the "Southern Girl" melody the same as "Bonnie Blue Flag" but the author obviously meant to refer to it--striking similarities in lyrics:   e.g.   

"Hurrah, hurrah, for Southern rights, hurrah"

becomes

"Hurrah, hurrah, for the sunny South, I say"


The Irish connection is also close:    "Bonnie Blue Flag" was written by an Ulster immigrant, Harry McCarthy.

As is well known, the Irish were very well represented on both sides of the conflict--to say the least. Partly of course since they were often "substitutes" for a "$300 man" in the North.

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: GUEST,Banjiman
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 02:17 AM

Thanks everyone for all the comments and feedback.

Paul

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 05:48 PM

The other way about, Ron: the "Bonnie Blue Flag" predates "Southern Girl's Reply" - the Flag being a marching song from 1861 at the start of the war, the Reply based on a poem, "True to the Gray" by Pearl Rivers, dated 1865, the end of the war (according to a 1918 doctoral dissertation) and published 1874 (according to sometime 'Catter Judy Cook). And of course the poem's text sets it after some if not all of the war's horrors had taken place. The song was collected by the Warners in 1941, no earlier date is recorded than that.

Lovely rendition, Banjiman.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: GUEST,Banjiman
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 04:17 AM

Thanks for that Becky..... your thorough research does mean that the CD notes are now incorrect, we'll have to live with it though as we had 1000 delivered yesterday!

The information we had was that the poem was anonymous.

Oh well.

Paul

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 11:13 AM

oops! You won't be the first, undoubtedly...

stickers? :-)


~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: GUEST,The Producer
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 01:51 PM

lovely comments on Wendy's songs

Nice!

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Ron Davies
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 07:25 AM

I am fully aware "Flag" predates "Reply".    It is obvious that "Reply" is in fact a reply to "Flag" and that "Reply" was written long after "Flag".   "Reply" above all is far more understanding and pacifist than any song written at the time of the Civil War or before would have been.

In fact I meant to say that the author of "Reply" meant to refer to "Flag", not the reverse.   And my sentence can in fact be read to say this--except to someone who wants to assume the other person does not know what he or she is talking about.    Though this is often a working assumption below the line, it is not reasonable on music threads, lest misunderstandings arise.

To minimize the chance of misinterpretion, I will spell out in the future which song or poem refers to which other song or poem.

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Ron Davies
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 07:26 AM

"misinterpretation"

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 11:13 AM

I'm sorry, Ron, looking at your post again I see I read it wrong. At any rate, it was interesting to me to dive in and learn a little more.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Ron Davies
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 09:48 PM

No problem, Becky.   

As others have noted, you have really done some impressive research on "Reply".   I am amazed the poem comes from 1865--I would have thought bitterness from the war would not have allowed the sort of sentiment in "Reply" so soon.    It seems much more from the 1920's or so--the generalized anti-war feeling and disillusion about war--but no hate for the victors.

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: GUEST,Seylan
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 07:41 PM

I thought The Southern Girl was absolutely gorgeous. On my setup the cello balance was perfect.

I'm a cellist and I love playing with banjo but haven't yet tried banjo and voice. Unfortunately my resident banjo player has tendonitis so I won't be experimenting in that direction any time soon :o(

Here's a link to a sample (not the full track) of a banjo/cello instrumental set though:Tattie Jam - Nine Pint Favourite

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 08:42 AM

I remember seeing a tv programme were "an expert" said that Bluegrass only works when amplified. Clearly, he is referring to the fact that the banjo - in particular - would throw out the balance of the band if the sound couldn't be modified by amplification.
I haven't read much of the above but I'd like to hear a combination of frailing banjo, cello and voice. Now I'm pretty sure that would work beautifully in a purely acoustic - non-amplified - situation.
Talking of cellos, has a cello ever been featured in the Transatlantic Sessions tv series?

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: Banjiman
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 09:10 AM

Tunesmith, have a listen to the original link above and you get just that, clawhammer banjo, cello and voice. And yes, it works fine acoustically.

Seylan, I enjoyed the Tattie Jam track, quite different to what we are doing on SGR though.

Subject: RE: Banjo, Cello & Voice- any good?
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 02:22 PM

Tunesmith - I thought Neil Johnstone might have played on the Transatlantic sessions but I just checked and it was the Highland Sessions.

Banjiman - very different, yes. We do have a ballad with cello and didgeridoo though - another unusual combination which I think works quite well.